DTN News: Australia's Versatile BUSHMASTER Infantry Mobility Vehicle, Performing Satisfactorily In Iraq And Afghanistan With NATO Forces

DTN News: Australia's Versatile BUSHMASTER Infantry Mobility Vehicle, Performing Satisfactorily In Iraq And Afghanistan With NATO Forces *Source: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA, Australia - September 29, 2009: The Bushmaster 4x4 armoured vehicle is currently deployed in southern Iraq with the Australian Army's Al Muthanna Task Group. The Bushmaster armoured vehicle, developed by Thales Australia (formerly ADI Limited) in Australia is in full production at Thales's engineering and manufacturing facility at Bendigo, Victoria. The vehicle was operationally deployed to Iraq in April 2005 and the US Army and Iraqi defence officials have expressed interest in the Bushmaster after observing its capabilities with the Australian Army. The Australian Army has tested the vehicle over thousands of kilometres in the extreme climatic conditions and terrain from sub-zero mountain areas to desert and tropical conditions. With a road cruise speed of 90km/h, the Bushmaster transports up to ten troops, quickly and comfortably. The Australian Army has tested the vehicle over thousands of kilometres in the extreme climatic conditions and terrain from sub-zero mountain areas to desert and tropical conditions in north Australia. In July 2002, the Australian Army awarded a contract to ADI Limited for 300 Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles in six variants: troop transport, ambulance, direct fire, mortar, engineer and command. The first of 300 Bushmaster vehicles was delivered to the Australian Army in August 2004 and the vehicle was operationally deployed to Iraq in April 2005 and Afghanistan in September 2005. Deliveries are scheduled to complete in 2008. In June 2006, the first batch of 152 troop transport variants completed delivery. Delivery of the command variant is underway. In February 2006, ADI signed a licensing agreement with Oshkosh Truck Corporation of USA to market, manufacture and support the Bushmaster for North American customers and countries eligible for foreign military sales. In January 2007, Oshkosh was awarded a contract by the US Marine Corps for two category II Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles, to be based on the Bushmaster, which will then undergo testing at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. In August 2006, the Royal Netherlands Army placed a contract for 25 Bushmaster vehicles, for operations in Afghanistan. For speed of deployment, the vehicles are being supplied from those already delivered to the Australian Army. 12 vehicles are being fitted with Thales SWARM remote-controlled weapon system and all vehicles have the Thales SOTAS M2 multimedia communication system and Thales Claire thermal imager. The vehicles were deployed to Afghanistan in October 2006. In November 2007, the Netherlands Army ordered an additional five vehicles to replace vehicles damaged in Afghanistan. In September 2006, it was announced that Australian Army Bushmaster vehicles would be fitted with a Remote Weapon Station (RWS), for added troop protection. 44 Raven R-400 weapon stations, from Recon Optical of the USA and Electro Optic Systems (EOS) of Australia, have been ordered and upgraded vehicles are to enter service in 2008. In December 2006, the Australian Army ordered a further 143 vehicles. The additional vehicles are to be delivered by 2009. In August 2007, the procurement of another 250 vehicles was announced. In May 2008, under an urgent operational requirement, the UK placed an order for 24 Bushmaster vehicles for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. With a road cruise speed of 90km/h, the Bushmaster transports troops, quickly and comfortably and is suitable for deployment in complex, diffuse and lethal operational environments such as Iraq. The Bushmaster family of vehicles provides high-level protection against anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices, mortar fragments and small arms fire. BUSHMASTER CREW CABIN Bushmaster is designed to transport up to ten troops. The cabin, with 1,415mm headroom, is fitted with seven face-to-face ergonomically designed seats with full harness seat belts. There is a personal weapons storage area, mission equipment storage, a radio suite, an air-conditioning unit and a cooled water drinking system. "Bushmaster armoured vehicles are available in six variants: troop transport, ambulance, direct fire, mortar, engineer and command." The cabin is fitted with four roof hatches with locking handles to provide protection against ambush and alternative escape routes The vehicle is transportable in C-130 Hercules aircraft for rapid deployment in forward areas of operation. DRIVER'S CABIN The driver and crew cabin areas are ergonomically designed for comfortable travel in varied terrain and harsh environments, minimising crew fatigue and allowing the crew to rest or concentrate on the mission. The engine noise level inside the cabin and crew compartment is very low The cabin is fitted with a large windscreen and side windows for all round visibility. The dashboard is ergonomically arranged, with easily readable and night-vision-goggle-compatible cockpit instrumentation. The driver can use the push-button control central tyre inflation system to adjust the tyre pressure while on the move to suit the terrain type and to keep the tyres inflated with limited punctures. WEAPONS The commander's hatch on the left is equipped with a weapon mount for a 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine gun. A light cannon can also be fitted. The ballistically protected windows can be fitted with optional shooting ports. Lockers can be replaced with additional ammunition and arms or fuel and water tanks to extend the operational radius. The crew seating can be reconfigured to accommodate operational requirements. 44 Australian Army vehicles are being fitted with the Recon Optical / Electro Optic Systems Ltd Raven R-400 weapon station. The system is in service with the US Army, designated the M101 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS). Raven sensors include thermal imager, CCD TV and eyesafe laser rangefinder. PROPULSION The Bushmaster engine, a Caterpillar 3126E ATAAC turbocharged six-cylinder, produces up to 246kW (330hp) at 2,400rpm. It provides a power to weight ratio of 16kW/t, cruise speed of 110km/h and maximum speed and 120km/h. The vehicle has an extended range of more than 1,000km. "Bushmaster is designed to transport up to ten troops." A double wishbone independent suspension system designed by Timoney in County Meath, Ireland provides good cross-country mobility across difficult terrains. The complete powerpack, (engine, automatic transmission, cooling system) can be easily replaced in the field without special tools. SELF-PROTECTION The armour-protected chassis protects against the blast of Claymore, anti-tank mines, anti-personnel mines, mortars, improvised explosive devices and NATO 5.56mm and 7.62mm ball ammunition. An upgrade armour kit provides protection against 5.56mm and 7.62mm armour-piercing rounds. The shaped hull deflects the blast from the equivalent of a 9.5kg high-explosive land mine detonated under any wheel or under the centre section of the vehicle. Wire cutters are installed on the roof on both sides of the vehicle to protect soldiers exposed above the roofline. The fuel and hydraulic tanks are located outside the crew compartments to minimise fire risk. The fuel tanks are equipped with fire retardants to prevent explosion and inhibit deterioration of the fuel. A 270l drinking water tank is installed under the floor of the crew compartment, contributing to crew safety in the event of a landmine explosion. The armour protected seating provides additional protection against spinal injuries.

DTN News: Dutch Forces Will Have 14 Additional Bushmaster Armoured Patrol Vehicles For Afghanistan

DTN News: Dutch Forces Will Have 14 Additional Bushmaster Armoured Patrol Vehicles For Afghanistan

*Source: DTN News / Defense Media

(NSI News Source Info) AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - August 23, 2009: The Ministry of Defence has ordered 14 additional Bushmaster armoured patrol vehicles. These come on top of the 14 Bushmasters which were already bought in June, and have been deployed this month in Uruzgan for the first time.

The Dutch Army will buy 14 additional Bushmaster patrol vehicles for Afghanistan, bringing its total fleet of the vehicles to 86.

The purchase amounts to in sum 10.9 million euros, State Secretary of Defence Jack de Vries told Parliament yesterday.

The Bushmasters are of great value to Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) because they provide much-improved protection against roadside bombs.

Due to losses in previous periods, and the costs and time involved in repairing damaged vehicles, particularly in Australia, a shortage threatened. Nine new Bushmasters are added directly to the available fleet, while the remaining five will form a reserve to compensate for possible future losses.

The total number of Bushmasters procured by Defence thus increases to 86 vehicles, of which nine are fitted with a remotely-piloted arm for IED manipulation.

The contract with the manufacturer of the Bushmaster, Thalès Australia, will be signed shortly, so as to allow deliveries of the new vehicles to begin in October. The rapid purchase process for this type of urgently-needed equipment requires special acquisition procedures. These are known as ‘Fast Track Procurement’ and have been developed by the Defence Material Organisation.

DTN News: Dutch Order Additional Bushmaster Vehicles

DTN News: Dutch Order Additional Bushmaster Vehicles *Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - June 21, 2009: In a further boost for Bushmaster exports, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence has ordered 14 new vehicles.The contract will take the total of Bushmasters supplied to the Netherlands to 72. The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built wheeled armoured vehicle. It was originally designed by Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd under a licence agreement with Perry Engineering in Adelaide; that licence was sold, with permission granted by Timoney as required by the licence terms, to Thales Australia. Once the Bushmaster was selected by the Australian Army after trials in 1998 to meet the Bushranger project requirements, the range of variants was developed further by Thales Australia in Bendigo. Oshkosh Truck has a contract to provide support and would manufacture in the US if there was an American order. The Bushmaster is currently in service with the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Army and British Army. Production work on the new vehicles has already begun, with delivery to the customer to be completed later this year.In a demonstration of the Bushmaster's flexibility, Thales will supply internal modular kits to allow vehicle reconfiguration in theatre. Additional EOS-SRWS stabilized remote weapon stations, which Thales is providing in conjunction with Australian-based EOS Ltd., are also part of the order. "This order is yet a further confirmation of the Bushmaster's suitability for a variety of tasks, and as a platform for different systems to suit every user's specific requirements," said Ian Irving, Vice President of Land & Joint Systems at Thales Australia. "The Bushmaster has been very successful on deployment with Dutch forces, and we have an ongoing close working relationship with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. Through life support for this contract will take place at Thales's local industrial presence in the Netherlands." "Our highly skilled workforce in Bendigo, Victoria, are Australia's leaders in delivering protected mobility solutions, with unrivalled local expertise along every stage of the process - from design and manufacturing to systems integration and through life support."

DTN News: Australia Issues RFP For New Light Armored Vehicles

DTN News: Australia Issues RFP For New Light Armored Vehicles

Opportunity for Australian Defence Industry *Source: Australian Department of Defence (NSI News Source Info) June 13, 2009: Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced that the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking Australian manufactured and supported protected mobility vehicles under Project LAND 121 Phase 4.

*Phase 4 will see the acquisition of a further 1,200 armored light vehicles in the 1- and 2-ton payload class worth an estimated $1.2 billion Australian.

*Phase 5 will see the acquisition of about 2,000 unprotected, commercial off-the-shelf trucks and utility vehicles worth about $300 million Australian. These will be used for training and low-risk logistics tasks.

Project LAND 121 Phase 4 will provide the core of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) light protected vehicle fleet that can be deployed for operations. They will replace some of the ADF 4200 Land Rovers with a fleet of protected light mobility vehicles.

The vehicles will perform a number of important combat support roles, including command, liaison and light battlefield resupply. They will be provided to Army’s combat units and will be designed to operate in future conflict environments.

“The new vehicles will improve the level of safety for our troops overseas through an increase in the level of ballistic and blast protection over current lightweight vehicles,” said Mr Combet. “This is a fantastic opportunity for local defence industry, provided they can demonstrate their competitiveness, and I encourage local manufacturers to explore this opportunity.”

“The Rudd Government is committed to supporting Australian defence jobs by ensuring that local defence industry has every opportunity to compete to provide the equipment our ADF needs.”

The solicitation of local industry is being pursued in parallel with the ongoing Australian participation in the US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Program. These parallel processes will ensure that all viable options available for the delivery of light protected mobility vehicles to the Army have been considered.

“This approach is consistent with Mortimer Review recommendations, and will ensure that taxpayers receive value for money and that the Army and our soldiers receive the best equipment and protection possible,” said Mr Combet.

Australia Sees Further Foreign Interest In Bushmaster / Further Interest In Australian Made Bushmaster

Australia Sees Further Foreign Interest In Bushmaster / Further Interest In Australian Made Bushmaster

(NSI News Source Info) February 17, 2009: Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today announced that a contingent of Netherlands Defence officials are visiting Thales Bendigo this week to review production progress under their country’s existing Bushmaster contract.

Mr Combet said under the Quality Assurance Arrangements between the two countries the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has been providing Government Quality Assurance services to the Netherlands regarding the procurement of the Bushmaster vehicles and associated enhancements/refits.

“The DMO continues to provide this vital support to the Netherlands and has been doing so since original contract signature in 2006,” Mr Combet said.

“The Netherlands Bushmaster Project Office will also view operational progress of some of the modifications they have ordered on their Bushmasters.

“The Australian built Bushmaster has acquitted itself well in both Iraq and Afghanistan and a Netherlands soldier who survived an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a Bushmaster while on duty in Afghanistan will also be accompanying the official party.”

Mr Combet said along with the Netherlands, Bushmasters had also been exported to the United Kingdom with a number of other countries also showing keen interest in the Protected Mobility Vehicles.

“The Bushmaster is a world-class, locally built vehicle which has received international attention following an enhanced acquisition process with close cooperation between the Australian Government and Australian industry,” said Mr Combet.

Dutch Army Orders Additional Bushmasters / Extra Bushmasters for Dutch Army In Afghanistan

Dutch Army Orders Additional Bushmasters / Extra Bushmasters for Dutch Army In Afghanistan (NSI News Source Info) January 13, 2009: The Ministry of Defence has bought 9 additional Bushmaster protected patrol vehicles. These will be used to detect and clear improvised explosive devices (IED) in Uruzgan, Afghanistan. These heavily armoured vehicles are equipped with a remotely-controlled arm which can investigate explosives which have been hidden in the ground. The arm carries cameras, sensors and an excavator.

The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built wheeled armoured vehicle. It was originally designed by Perry Engineering in Adelaide with some technical support from Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd. The prototype, the basic design and the tender were acquired by Thales Australia, as Perry Engineering considered it non-core business. Once the Bushmaster was selected by the Australian Army after trials in 1998 to meet the Bushranger project requirements, the range of variants was developed further by Thales Australia in Bendigo. Oshkosh Truck has a contract to provide support and would manufacture in the US if there was an American order. The Bushmaster is currently in service with the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Army and British Army.

The Bushmaster are of great value in this province in Southern Afghanistan, because its reinforced lower hull protects them against mines and IEDs. The Ministry of Defence will pay for the additional Bushmasters from the 80 million euro budget that had been earmarked for the counter-IED taskforce. Sniffer dogs and a flexible laboratory in Uruzgan have been already added to the anti-IED resources.

The extra Bushmasters are additional to the ones ordered in June 2008, some of which have been lost or damaged by attacks. It is the intention of the MoD that Dutch soldiers in Uruzgan will receive the new vehicles by April 1.